National Church Safety and Security: Creating a Safety Net Training
The Creating a Safety Net training is based on the CV Ministries philosophy that prevention is the best way to achieve and maintain safety and security in churches. This training is part of our primary prevention services (see the Prevention Philosophy on this website) and is designed for pastoral staff, church administrators and leaders, ushers, church administrative assistants, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, and others who are directly ministering to people at your church or ministry. It is a two-part training that focuses on the dual issues of how to interact with people who come to your church that may be a risk to your safety and security and those who may have mental health needs.
Many churches and ministries struggle with how to identify people who may be disruptive or destructive while they are attending church or ministry events, and then what to do when a potentially dangerous person has been identified. This training will provide you with the skills necessary to identify those who may be a risk to themselves or others, as well as with verbal de-escalation skills that will help you manage these situations safely. When a potentially disruptive or dangerous person has been properly identified and de-escalated or contained, much of the risk they present will be eliminated.
Similarly, there is a need for church staff and leaders to better understand mental illness and how it is manifested, along with learning how to respond to people with a variety of mental illnesses. The training teaches participants to identify those with mental illness and teaches practical skills for responding in a supportive manner to individuals and their families who are struggling with mental health problems.
The training is interactive and has an adult learning focus, meaning the knowledge and experience of participants is used to enhance the overall training and learning experience. It also provides opportunities to practice the skills that are being taught, so participants will have not just knowledge but increased skill in protecting those in their church or ministry.
